MADRID (AFP) - Spanish media downplayed reports that Real Madrid had signed AC Milan star Kaka, saying details remain to be worked out and that Chelsea still hope to buy the Brazilian for a world record fee.
"The transfer (to Real) is still not official but all the parties are giving it as a done deal," the sports daily AS said Wednesday, noting "pressure" from Chelsea.
Another sports paper, Marca, predicted Kaka's transfer to Real would be completed "before next week."
The two papers, along with Radio Cadena Ser, had reported late Tuesday that the 27-year-old playmaker had signed for Real in a 65-million-euro deal.
They said newly-installed Real president Florentino Perez sealed the deal with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and Bosco Leite, father and agent of the 2007 world and European player of the year.
Kaka, currently in Brazil with the national team ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, will sign up for five years and a salary worth nine million euros a year, they added.
But AS said Chelsea representatives had traveled to Milan on Tuesday to make an offer that topped Real's.
The English Premier League club would be ready to play 80 million euros, which would make Kaka the most expensive player in history, and offer him a salary of 12 million euros and his father a 12-million-euro commission.
The paper noted that Chelsea's new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has just moved from AC Milan and could have some influence in luring Kaka to London.
Real Madrid has not released any statement on the negotiations.
Kaka himself insists he's staying put in italy, telling Monday's La Gazzetto dello Sport: "I'll tell you this for the last time, the very last. I don't want to leave Milan.
"To the millions of Milan fans, I tell you that I've made my choice. I've said I want to stay. Leave me in peace, please."
Ricardo Carvalho has revealed that he is open to the idea of leaving Chelsea this summer with a number of clubs having already expressed an interest.
The 31-year-old has endured a torrid time with injuries this season, which have restricted the defender to just 12 Premier League appearances this term.
The former Porto ace has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in recent weeks, a switch which would see him reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
Despite admitting that the campaign had been tough to bare at times Carvalho insists that if Chelsea and a prospective buyer couldn't agree on a fee then he would be happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.
"I am available for a club who wishes to have me," the centre-half said.
"But before being approached, an agreement must be found with Chelsea, although I am delighted that several clubs are interested in me.
"I have had four extraordinary years at Chelsea till this year, which has not been very good, indeed the worst of my career. I wasn't in great shape because I haven't played.
"But if there is no transfer, I will be fine at Chelsea."
The Blues could allow Carvalho to leave, despite the player being a major factor in their success over recent seasons, due to the improved form of fellow centre-half Alex during the Portugal international's absence.
Chelsea have made an astonishing £73.5million bid for AC Milan superstar Kaka, according to Sky Sports News sources.
The brilliant Brazilian, widely regarded as one of the finest players on the planet, was targeted by Manchester City in the winter transfer window but elected to remain with the Serie A giants.
Kaka went on record as recently as Tuesday to insist that he was happy with the Rossoneri and had no plans to move on this summer.
But further speculation emerged that Real Madrid were planning a swoop following Florentino Perez's appointment as president, with the returning supremo eager to make another 'Galactico' signing.
And Sky Sports News sources now understand that Chelsea have tabled a bid which trumps the reported offer of £56million from Santiago Bernabeu.
Former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was installed as the new Blues manager on Monday and he could now be set to link up again with the talented playmaker.
Chelsea's £73.5million bid is reported to be backed up by an offer of £10million-a-year in wages after tax for Kaka in a bid to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have denied making an astonishing ??73.5million for AC Milan's superstar Kaka.
Sportsmail revealed last night how Spanish giants Real Madrid were closing in on the signing of the 27-year-old Brazil playmaker, but reports have emerged suggesting that new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has contacted the player personally in a bid to hijack Real's deal.
But the Blues have now slammed claims that they will launch a world record bid for Kaka. The previous record stands at ??47m - the fee Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.Reports in Spain this morning claimed Madrid were confident of completing a deal approaching ??60m.
Spanish newspaper AS also claims Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would be keen on the transfer coup because he is still hurting by the way Madrid sold Robinho to Manchester City rather than his side on transfer deadline day last summer.
But a close relationship between Madrid's returning president Florentino Perez and Milan general manager Adriano Galliani keeps the Spaniards in the driving seat.
There is a suggestion that Chelsea's interest was introduced by Kaka's representatives as negotiations stalled, driving up the price from Madrid's opening offer of ??52m.
The salary Kaka would receive on a five-year deal was pushed up to ??157,000 a week.
Milan, for their part, admit that Galliani was in Madrid yesterday but insist it had nothing to do with negotiating a deal for Kaka, who has also previously interested Manchester United.
'The general manager of the Rossoneri, Adriano Galliani, is in the city of Madrid exclusively for the investiture dinner of Florentino Perez, the new president of Real Madrid,' a statement read.
However, the Italian club's president Silvio Berlusconi and Galliani have both softened up fans for their hero's departure, admitting it would be hard to refuse a bid that would clear their debts.
Kaka is in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro, on international duty with Brazil and faces two World Cup qualifiers next week, making a quick resolution to the saga difficult.
He yesterday insisted he wanted to stay with the Rossoneri, but he harbours a dream of playing in the white of Madrid and would be in line for a perfect diplomatic exit if Milan publicly accept his bid.
The Bernabeu hierarchy are said to have such respect for Berlusconi that they will let the Italians dictate the announcement of the deal, which is expected to happen no later than next week by videoconference from Brazil.
Chelsea are ready to offer new contracts to Alex and Florent Malouda.
The London Evening Standard says Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to offer new deals to Alex and Florent Malouda as the Italian shapes his Chelsea team for next season.
Malouda was expected to be sold this summer but has won over the fans and the hierarchy after a string of impressive performances in the last two months of the season.
The French international, who joined from Lyon for £13.5million in 2007, had struggled for consistency but is now feeling settled at Stamford Bridge. He is likely to face more competition for his place on the left of midfield next season with the arrival of Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.
But Malouda, who starred in the club's win over Everton at Wembley, is ready for the fight after being told by Chelsea they want him to stay.
Malouda said: "We will have a meeting at the beginning of June. Both parties want to carry on. It's a wonderful experience but just the beginning. I hope in the next years you will see me win many, many trophies.
"When you play so many high-profile games you get the experience and confidence that comes with it. I hope to share joy and happiness with the fans.”
When asked if he is ready to compete with Zhirkov should he arrive, Malouda added: “Of course. It's just the beginning because with Ashley Cole on the left we have confidence so it gives us a lot for the next years.”
Malouda has only 12 months of his deal left to run but is expected to get a two-year extension with a pay rise from £50,000 a week to around £65,000 a week.
Alex is also going to be rewarded for a number of impressive displays this season with a three-year deal that will see his salary increase to £60,000 a week. His current contract expires next year but the new agreement will ensure the defender remains at the club until 2013.
AS says Real have pulled out of the battle for Villa after new president Florentino Perez decided not to go higher than £30 million for the Spain international.
Valencia are asking closer to £40 million - which is due to Chelsea's fresh interest, that has only arrived this week.
Striker Didier Drogba is set to be offered a new three-year contract by Chelsea within the next week.
Doubts had been raised over Drogba's future following his problems under former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and his behaviour after Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona, when he confronted Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
But according to the Press Association Chelsea have been impressed enough by his behaviour since the incident, and by the recovery in his form under interim coach Guus Hiddink, to attempt to secure him on a new contract.
New manager Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of Chelsea in July.
Andriy Shevchenko is unhappy about returning to Chelsea.
A spokesman for the 32-year-old confirmed yesterday he is expected to return to Stamford Bridge after the summer break as his one-year loan deal is up at AC Milan.
“He’s due back at Chelsea,” said the spokesman to the Daily Star. “He has been told they want to see what happens up until Christmas.
“He’s not optimistic, considering the amount of playing time he was given at Milan.”
Russian international Yuri Zhirkov claims he is unaware of any interest from Chelsea in him, but admits he would be tempted by a move.
The CSKA Moscow left sided player has reportedly been the target of a £18.6million transfer by the Blues, who have been tracking the 25-year-old for some time.Betfair is a bit different to your normal bookie; they actually want you to win. Instead of a bookmaker setting the odds, their customers do. That means you. And because you compete against each other, you get better odds. Up to 20% better odds in fact. You can either make a back bet (bet on who's going to win) or place a lay bet (bet against something happening). Betfair matches people on either side of the bet with the odds they agree. Simple. Use this £10 free bet and give it a try.
Chelsea could be set for a new cash boost courtesy of former striker Adrian Mutu.
The Guardian says Carlo Ancelotti's transfer spending could be funded by a player he tried to sign for Milan last summer if sport's highest court upholds a £14.87m compensation award to Chelsea.
Mutu was sacked by Chelsea following a positive test for cocaine use in 2004, which prompted the club to embark on a five-year pursuit for compensation. The outcome is due soon, following Mutu's final appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March.
CAS had already been involved in the case when it said that the world governing body, Fifa, should calculate what compensation was due, and the figure it reached was £14.87m. Mutu demanded the Fifa award be annulled.
AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists he doesn't want to follow coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea.
The 19-year-old Brazilian - who scored 15 goals in Serie A last season - is being strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to follow manager Ancelotti.
But he told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have read the reports linking me with Chelsea, but my agent and the club deal with this type of thing. I want to win everything with Milan."
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has again stated Franck Ribery is not for sale.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are all chasing Ribery, but Hoeness said: "There will be enquiries for Ribery in the next four to six weeks, I'm sure.
"But we have not had any decisive enquiry and we are not interested in any of the rumours in the English press.
"We will be polite, but we will not negotiate. We are not going to celebrate on the telephone when somebody offers a certain amount."
CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov is in the dark over a move to Chelsea.
"I honestly know as much about it as everyone else," he told Sport Express ahead of Russia's impending 2010 World Cup qualifier against Finland.
"I read the papers, listen to the radio and I am genuinely surprised, given that no actual offer from Chelsea exists."
While distancing himself from a switch to Stamford Bridge at the present time, Zhirkov did admit he would be open to a move to West London should a suitable opportunity arise.
"Clearly we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world, who regularly compete at the highest level," he added.
"It is very possible that I would say yes. But before that I would have to weigh up the pros and cons. To sit on the bench and only get on the pitch from time to time doesn't interest me, not even at Chelsea.
"Moreover, I have nothing to lose (by staying in Moscow), given that CSKA now have a very interesting team who will begin competing in the Champions League in the autumn."
Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon was not involved in negotiations for coach Carlo Ancelotti, it has been revealed.
The Guardian says Ancelotti's negotiations to join Chelsea apparently took place without the involvement of Kenyon, casting further doubt on the part being played at the club by the chief executive.
After meetings with the club owner, Roman Abramovich, last year Ancelotti negotiated his move from Milan with the Chelsea sporting director, Frank Arnesen, sources in Italy have revealed.
Kenyon was on holiday when Chelsea sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari as their coach last February but, despite persistent rumours that he was on the verge of leaving, the club has always said he was there to stay.
Chelsea have countered previous speculation about Kenyon's departure with the claim he will be responsible for transfer negotiations this summer.
Chelsea refuse to give up on landing AC Milan star Kaka, despite his expected agreement with Real Madrid.
The Times says Real have an agreement in place with AC Milan to sign the Brazil forward for a staggering €65 million (£56.2 million).
Real had offered the player a five-year contract on a salary of £150,000 a week after tax. However, sources in Milan said that Chelsea — who were also targeting Andrea Pirlo — had offered the player “extraordinary” personal terms after they were advised that there was a hitch in the Kaká deal.
Chelsea will try to persuade Kaká to come to Stamford Bridge and join up with Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at the San Siro who is now in charge at the Barclays Premier League club.
Kaká, who is on international duty, is believed to favour Real, but, in a further twist last night, Bosco Leite, the player’s agent and father, halted talks with the Spanish club after the interest shown by Chelsea and disagreements over his agent’s commission.
The Spanish media have reported that Real Madrid have beaten Chelsea to the signing of AC Milan's Kaka for a world record fee of £56m.
Chelsea's new boss Carlo Ancelotti had made Kaka one of his top priorities, having managed the Brazilian superstar while in charge of the Rossoneri and there is reportedly a chance they could still scupper the deal.Carlo Ancelotti is set to offer new contracts to Florent Malouda and Alex as he shapes his Chelsea side for next season.
Malouda struggled after signing from Lyon for £13.5million in 2007, but has won over fans and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy in the second half of the season.
CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov had been lined up to replace him and today warned he would not be happy to sit on the Blues bench.
Versatile Zhirkov, who tends to play left-back for Russia, said: 'Clearly we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world, who regularly compete at the highest level.
'It is very possible I would say yes (to Chelsea). But before that I would have to weigh up the pros and cons.
'To sit on the bench and only get on the pitch from time to time doesn't interest me, not even at Chelsea.
'Moreover, I have nothing to lose (by staying in Moscow), given that CSKA now have a very interesting team who will begin competing in the Champions League in the autumn.'
Chelsea are understood to be close to an £18.6million deal for the 25-year-old, but face competition from Bayern Munich.
Malouda has only 12 months of his deal left to run but is expected to get a two-year extension with a pay rise from £50,000 a week to around £65,000 a week.
'We will have a meeting at the beginning of June,' he told the London Evening Standard. 'Both parties want to carry on.
'It’s a wonderful experience but just the beginning. I hope in the next years you will see me win many, many trophies.
'When you play so many high-profile games you get the experience and confidence that comes with it. I hope to share joy and happiness with the fans.'
When asked if he is ready to compete with Zhirkov should he arrive, Malouda added: 'Of course. It’s just the beginning because with Ashley Cole on the left we have confidence so it gives us a lot for the next years.'
Alex is also going to be rewarded for a number of impressive displays this season with a three-year
deal that will see his salary increase to £60,000 a week. His current contract expires next year but the new agreement will ensure the defender remains at the club until 2013.
Bayern Munich insist Franck Ribery is not going to be sold this summer.
Ribery is a target for a number of leading European sides this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United in the hunt along with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But Bayern's new boss Louis van Gaal has told the club he wants to work with the Frenchman next season.'He really wants to keep him,' general manager Uli Hoeness told Munich's Abendzeitung newspaper after holding talks with van Gaal. 'We will not let Ribery go.
Van Gaal arrived in Munich on Monday and has also addressed the issue of Luca Toni, who seems to be surplus to requirements following the signing of Mario Gomez from Stuttgart and Ivica Olic from Hamburg.
Unlike with Ribery, Hoeness would not hang up the phone immediately on an offer for the Italian.
'In general, four strikers are enough, but if we have five, then we have five,' he added. 'We will not be sending anybody away. But if somebody comes to us and wants one of our strikers, then we will talk.'